Perspectives of the Immunology of Proteins

Abstract

When this symposia series was founded in 1976, the major contributions and concepts which constituted the foundations of contemporary immunology of proteins and peptides were quite clear. However, in the last 2–3 years, this field has witnessed an unprecedented activity and has been the focus of a great deal of excitement. As a result, many investigators have entered this area of endeavor from backgrounds other than the molecular immunology or biochemistry of proteins. Therefore, there has been considerable confusion and ambiguity as to the meaning and understanding of various principles and the source of various ideas, concepts and approaches, on which the field is founded. I would like to use the prerogative of these opening remarks, to put a few of these matters in their proper historical perspective.